20160331

Astronomy quiz question: same-size supergiant vs. giant

Astronomy 210 Quiz 5, spring semester 2016
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

A supergiant will be ___________ compared to a giant that has the same size.
(A) cooler and dimmer.
(B) cooler and brighter.
(C) hotter and dimmer.
(D) hotter and brighter.

Correct answer (highlight to unhide): (D)

An H-R diagram is provided with this quiz.


These stars are plotted on an H-R diagram below. The supergiant has a hotter temperature and a brighter luminosity than the main-sequence star, in order for them to have the same size.


The entries for the "box method" of comparing relative Stefan-Boltzmann parameters are listed below.

Lum. = size × Temp.4
supergiant =
giant =

Section 30674
Exam code: quiz05nUL7
(A) : 1 student
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 2 students
(D) : 13 students

Success level: 70% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.80

Section 30676
Exam code: quiz05sPrB
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 43 students

Success level: 85% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.24

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